The committee elected by council to investigate allegations that certa in DA and Cope councillors absented themselves from three consecutive council meetings has made a finding that these councillors have indeed absented themselves from three consecutive council meetings, being the council meetings of 31 January, 4 February and 6 February 2014 .

Item 4(2) of the Code of Conduct as contained in Schedule 1 to the Municipal Systems Act states that a councillor who absents himself or herself from three consecutive council meetings which that councilor is required to attend must be removed from office as a councillor. (My underlining).

Similarly, Rule 11(5) of the Council's Rules of Order states that a member who is absent from three consecutive meetings which he or she is required to attend in terms of section 9, must be removed. (My underlining).

Consequently , since the committee found that the following councillors have absented themselves from three consecutive council meetings, they have been informed today that they are removed from office as councilors with immediate effect, by operation of law:

1. Cllr Vernatt van der Westhuizen;

2. Cllr Dianne de Jager;

3. Cllr Ewa Fortuin;

4. Cllr Danie Fourie;

5. Cllr Julia Le Roux;

6. Cllr Pierre Nel;

7. Cllr Christiaan Mac Pherson;

8. Cllr Felicity Magxaka;

9. Cllr John Maxim;

10. Cllr Raymond Wildschut;

11. Cllr Ben van Wyk.

The Acting Municipal Manager has declared 11 vacancies and has informed the IEC accordingly.

Statement issued by Alderman JNH Stoffels, Speaker of Oudtshoorn Municipality, February 21 2014

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